Social Security keeps changing my in-person appointment to telephone - how to fix without another office visit?

This happens all the time with SSA - their appointment system is notorious for defaulting to telephone even when staff input in-person. The fastest way to fix this is through your MySSA online account. Log in, go to 'Upcoming Appointments' and there should be an option to modify the appointment type. If you don't see that option, you unfortunately will need to contact them. If you do have to call, try calling right when they open at 9am or in the last hour before they close when call volume tends to be lower.

same thing happened to me last year!! i went in person to make an IN PERSON appointment and they sent me a letter 4 a phone one. so annoying!!!

Your best bet is to email them through the secure messaging in your MySocialSecurity account. Explain exactly what happened and request an in-person appointment. Include your confirmation number if you have one, along with the date/time of the scheduled call. They usually respond within 2-3 business days, and in my experience, they're much more helpful through secure message than by phone. Be sure to mention that you need to present original documents that require in-person verification - that's a valid reason they should accommodate.

I've been helping my clients navigate SSA appointments for years, and unfortunately this isn't uncommon. The issue is that their internal scheduling system has telephone as the default setting, and sometimes staff forget to change the appointment type even when they verbally confirm they will. Here are your options: 1. Use the secure messaging in MySocialSecurity (as someone mentioned) 2. Fax a letter to your local office (yes, they still use fax!) 3. Mail a letter to your local office requesting the change 4. Call the national number and request a change Option 4 is typically fastest but also most frustrating due to wait times. If you have documentation that needs to be verified in person, make sure to specifically mention that as SSA has certain rules about which documents must be viewed as originals.

I've tried calling SSA multiple times about appointment issues and it's IMPOSSIBLE to get through!! I spent 3 hours on hold last week and then got disconnected. When I finally did reach someone the next day after another 2 hour wait, they told me they couldn't help because it was a local office matter. The whole system is designed to frustrate people until they give up.

just go back 2 the office with ur letter and show them. its annoying but at least u will get it fixed 4 sure. thats what i did and got it fixed right away. sometime the online stuff just makes things worse tbh

One more important thing to consider - if your appointment is for retirement benefits application, you should be able to complete the entire application online without any appointment at all. The only documents you would need to provide in person are ones they can't verify electronically (like a birth certificate if you weren't born in the US). For most standard retirement claims, the online process is much more efficient. The exception would be if you have complicating factors like WEP/GPO from non-covered pensions or complex dependent situations.

After seeing your responses, I recommend you call your local office directly rather than the national number. Most local offices have direct lines that aren't published, but here's a trick: call your Congressperson's office and tell them you're having trouble reaching SSA. They usually have the direct numbers to local offices and can either give it to you or make a call on your behalf. Congressional inquiries get priority attention at SSA offices.